The New York state budget is a dire situation. There has been much negative discussion about the benefits of retirees of New York state and local government service and the resulting costs.

The Retired Public Employees Association, a not-for-profit organization, is the major state advocacy association that exists solely to protect, promote and advance the interests of all public retirees.

The majority of our members receive moderate, fixed pensions and benefits, in comparison to what we contribute to the economy and the tax base of New York. The average annual pension in the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) is $18,624 for non-uniformed personnel.

NYSLRS retirees and beneficiaries are responsible for approximately $10 billion in economic activity in New York. The income and spending of NYSLRS retirees have helped stabilize the economy during the recession and provide steady tax revenue to local governments. They generated approximately $194 million in sales tax collection for local governments and $200 million for New York state and the MTA during Fiscal Year 2008.

Our pensions and health insurance benefits were earned in exchange for our employment and acceptance of these benefits in lieu of salary.

If you are a New York state or local government retiree, and you are interested in being more active in ensuring that you keep your benefits, consider becoming a part of this great organization that exists solely to protect, promote and advance the interests of all public retirees by “fighting for your future.” Learn about it at www.rpea.org.
Willie C. Branagan
Fayetteville

Church must listen to stories from abused

To the Editor:

In his April 13 letter concerning clerical sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, Rev. Donald C. Maldari stated that he was unable to attend the symposium at Le Moyne college because “Hearing those stories again was simply too painful.” Too painful to hear the stories? How painful was it for a child to actually experience the abuse, and how painful for the adult to carry that pain throughout life!

It is true “We cannot change the past,” but we also most definitely cannot dismiss the wrongs committed there. We as Catholics are not “wallowing in guilt.” We will leave the guilt to the abusers. We rather are wallowing in disbelief and outrage that the church we honored, respected and faithfully supported for its dogma of charity and good deeds would consider its own reputation of greater import than the preservation of a child’s innocence and trust.

The criminal abuse and the subsequent cover-ups are well-known and well-documented. There is no question of guilt. I agree that, “We the church must rally our courage to change the system and structures that tolerated and covered up the sexual abuse of children.” We would ask for nothing more. But until the clergy accept the responsibility to report, expose and apprehend the abusers in their midst, this aberration will continue.

I would hope that all individuals who hold positions of authority in the Catholic Church will continue to listen to the “stories” of the abused, empathize with their pain and ensure appropriate punishment for convicted abusers. A “reform of the church’s structure” must come from within.

Maureen Scarafile
Liverpool

In America, Paul votes to take Peter’s money

To the Editor:
A recent poll shows that a majority thinks wealth should be more evenly distributed. In other words, take from those who earn and give to those who don’t (otherwise known as wealth redistribution, or take from Peter and give to Paul). I’ll bet a large portion of this majority pays no taxes or is receiving some type of government assistance, so why would it matter to them? The poll also shows that Democrats support this idea more than Republicans do. This is because those who vote Democratic tend to be on the receiving end (recipients), and those who vote Republican tend to be on the providing end (providers).

For the Democrats to get votes and stay in power, they must keep the number of recipients larger than the number of providers. This is why they support increasing unemployment and welfare benefits, giving a refund to those who pay no taxes, redistributing wealth and amnesty for illegal immigrants. Offering handouts is a way to buy votes. But this system will collapse if those pulling the wagon (providers) can no longer pull the weight of those in the wagon (recipients).

I think the privilege of voting should only be given to those who pay taxes. Unless you contribute, you shouldn’t get a say in how things are run. Maybe this would be an incentive to become a provider instead of a recipient. But only in America does Paul get to vote to take Peter’s money.

Bill Burns
Fulton

Tax-filing extension rules make no sense

To the Editor:

New York state government strikes again. I have to pay on my taxes this year,
and since I do not have the money thought I would look into filing an extension. which would give me time to come up with what I owe.

Imagine my reaction when I found, “To avoid penalties you must pay at least 90 percent of your current tax year liability on or before April 15, 2011 and submit the balance with your New York return(s) by October 15, 2011.”

I may be missing something here, but how on Earth can you know what your current liability is unless you complete your return, and if you do that, why file an extension in the first place?

In addition, “Interest will be charged on income tax that is not paid on or before the due date of your return, even if you received an extension of time to file your return.” Again, what is the purpose of filing an extension if you have to pay 90 percent and be charged interest as well? Isn’t it bad enough that they charge a late payment and a late filing penalty?

Donna M. Centers
Fayetteville

City should use taxes to fix Syracuse streets

To the Editor:

Mayor Stephanie Miner:

As a taxpayer and a resident of Syracuse, I’m wondering where my and others’ tax dollars that the city of Syracuse receives go to?

The city streets have been badly in need of repair for years. The only thing being done is city government kicking the can down the road year after year as the city streets get worse and worse.

Citizens and taxpayers who drive daily risk damages to their vehicles and expensive repairs caused by the lack of maintenance of city streets.

If the city of Syracuse is going to accept taxes from its citizens, then the city Of Syracuse should by all means have the very best-maintained streets. Or the city should assume the responsibility of paying for citizens’ or taxpayers’ vehicle repairs.

Frank Trivison
Syracuse

Focus on domestic issues, not Libya

To the Editor:

I have just finished reading an article that says the United States is seeking a country to shelter Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Fortunately, I read it prior to having breakfast.

It makes me sick that our politicians would attempt to help someone who has caused so much death and destruction of innocent people. Have they forgotten Pan Am 103?

Why do they insist on sticking their nose in the business of other countries? Let’s at least attempt to resolve domestic issues (of which there are plenty) and let other countries do the same.

As for a shelter for Gadhafi, how about Hell?

Sam Tripp
Oswego

Fannie, Freddie not to blame for economy

To the Editor:

Peter Wallison’s Sunday story, “ Fannie, Freddie & the Crisis,” blaming the housing bubble collapse and economic crisis on government policies for low-income borrowers is a view that is so out to lunch that even his fellow Republicans on the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission couldn’t swallow it.

Reputable economists have demolished this argument. Fannie and Freddie were reluctant latecomers to mortgage derivatives and couldn’t have caused the global crisis that took down Iceland, Ireland and Greece, unlike some banks with international reach.

It’s a shame that The Post-Standard didn’t put this up on the comics page where it belongs.

Price is absolutely a community treasure and we have been fortunate, for decades, to have him here planning walks, races and special events. I was privileged to be part of the planning for the first-ever Folksmarch in 1981 at Green Lakes and many of the ensuing ones throughout our county parks. Always, I remember Price’s smile and the glint in his eye that always spoke, “sure, we can do this.” His wife, Peg, was more than a sidekick. She was the logistics behind each march. How refreshing it is to read good news in the paper, and how blessed we have been to have Walt and Peg Price in our lives. Happy birthday, Walt.

Gary MacLachlan
Former Onondaga County Parks commissioner
DeWitt

Sign needed at Adams and Townsend streets

To the Editor:

I’ve noticed that whenever there are certain events at Syracuse University, for example football and basketball, there are adequate traffic controls before and after the games. There are traffic cops directing traffic in and around streets extending as far as East Genesee Street.

However, when there are events in the downtown area and drivers are leaving downtown, say around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., there’s no traffic control. No one directs traffic, for instance, at the intersection of East Adams and South Townsend street. The drivers heading east on Adams Street or drivers heading south on South Townsend Street or making a left on Adams Street completely block that intersection. Cars going north on South Townsend Street can continue going north on South Townsend or make a right turn on East Adams Street.

There’s a sign at East Adams and Almond Street that reads, “State law ... do not block intersection.” We need a similar sign at South Townsend and East Adams Street or there should be public outcry.

Central A. Williams
Syracuse

It’s illegal to pass on shoulder of road

To the Editor:

I would like to inform a certain few people it is illegal to pass on the shoulder of the road.

My wife and I were walking east on Route 104 facing traffic, when a car came toward us and slowed down to make a left turn. The car behind immediately swung to the right and started to pass on the shoulder. My wife had to get out of the way quickly so she did not get hit.

The car right behind did the very same thing. What do you people think you’re doing? If you’re so hell-bent on killing yourself, please don’t take my loved ones or anyone else with you.

This time I didn’t get the plate number, but you can bet from now on I will carry a pencil and paper and I will appear in court if I am asked.

My apologies to all the great drivers out there. I know you’re in the majority.

Jim Graham
Mexico

Bible not God or object to worship

To the Editor:

I am a Bible reader and have become thoroughly familiar with it over the last 45 years. The very first of the Ten Commandments does not allow other Gods besides God. Within the extreme limitations of human language, the contents of the Bible have given me hints of the infinite, that which transcends the material universe, the infinite loving kindness, absolute power and mercy of God. But the Bible, the book itself, is not God or an object to be worshiped.

I have no problem seeing a Bible burned by anyone. The message, the words within it, will never pass away. To see the Bible, the book itself as an object of worship, would be to me worse, the very worst form of idolatry. And that, as they say, is a definite no-no. But that is me.